White House Denies Involvement in Chrysler Super Bowl Ad

(Fox News) - WASHINGTON -- A Chrysler Super Bowl commercial featuring Clint Eastwood so resembled a political ad that the White House found itself denying involvement in its production more than six months after the government's relationship with the company ended.

"Did the White House or the campaign have any role in the creation of that ad or advising that ad or consulting on the ad?" White House press secretary Jay Carney was asked by a reporter at the Monday daily press briefing.

"The answer to your question is no," Carney responded.

Soon after President Barack Obama took office, he championed a government takeover of General Motors and Chrysler in an effort to keep the Detroit automakers from going out of business. The federal government sold its last shares of Chrysler last June to Italian car maker Fiat, ultimately absorbing a $1.3 billion loss.

But the company stayed afloat and Carney touted that fact as questions about the inspiring ad made their way to the briefing room.

"It does point out a simple fact, which is that the automobile industry in this country was on its back and potentially poised to liquidate three years ago," Carney said.

"And this president made decisions that were not very popular at the time that were guided by two important principles: one, that he should do what he could to ensure that one million jobs would not be lost; and, two, that the American automobile industry should be able to thrive globally, if the right conditions were created."

Eastwood narrated the spot that ran during the Super Bowl's halftime. It referred to Americans pulling together to help the struggling Motor City but also made a statement about the current state of the nation's economy.

"It's halftime in America, too," Eastwood says in the ad. "People are out of work and they're hurting. And they're all wondering what they're going to do to make a comeback. And we're all scared, because this isn't a game. The people of Detroit know a little something about this. They almost lost everything. But we all pulled together, now Motor City is fighting again."

Eastwood's role in the ad prompted some Twitter posts questioning whether the actor and director had intended to make a political statement.

Speaking to FOX News' O'Reilly Factor producer Ron Mitchell late Monday, Eastwood -- who served as mayor of Carmel, Calif., from 1986-1988 -- clarified his role in the ad.

"I just want to say that the spin stops with you guys, and there is no spin in that ad. On this I am certain," Eastwood said. "l am certainly not politically affiliated with Mr. Obama. It was meant to be a message about just about job growth and the spirit of America. I think all politicians will agree with it. I thought the spirit was OK."

"If Obama or any other politician wants to run with the spirit of that ad, go for it," he added.

Eastwood, a known Libertarian who voted for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008, said that he was not supporting anyone in the 2012 race. Eastwood has donated money to Democrats in California, but has said publicly he has never voted Democrat in a presidential election.

Eastwood's manager, Leonard Hirshan, told The Daily that the ad should not be construed as a pro-Obama spot.

"That would be a strange message coming from a man who is a Republican and a Libertarian," Hirshan said. "Eastwood is not a Democrat -- far from it."

Obama 2012 strategist David Axelrod and White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer tweeted their support for the ad Sunday night.

"Saving the America Auto Industry: Something Eminem and Clint Eastwood can agree on," Pfeiffer wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, former adviser to George W. Bush Karl Rove said he was "offended" by the ad.

"I'm a huge fan of Clint Eastwood, I thought it was an extremely well-done ad, but it is a sign of what happens when you have Chicago-style politics, and the president of the United States and his political minions are, in essence, using our tax dollars to buy corporate advertising," he said on FOX News.

Despite the auto-industry's recovery, unemployment in Michigan still hovers just below 10 percent.